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Mayor and swimming stars ‘Make a Splash’ with Camden kids at mobile pool

5 June 2013

Youngsters in Camden have been encouraged to take the plunge as part of the Mayor of London’s continued drive to encourage more people into swimming.

The Mayor revealed that 19,000 young people have been taught to swim as part of his ‘Make a Splash’ initiative, which for the past three years has taken mobile swimming pools to communities that need them the most. So far, the programme has been to 18 venues across London and is set to visit a further eight during its’ next phase.

With recent figures from the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) showing that 51% of 7 to 11 year olds are unable to swim 25 metres unaided, the Mayor confirmed that ‘Make a Splash’ is set to continue for at least the next two years and that communities across the capital can step forward and bid for the pool to come to their area as part of the next round of the programme.

The Mayor was joined by Team GB synchronised swimming stars Katie Dawkins and Jazmine Stansbury, who dropped in to check out the pool in action at Maria Fidelis School in Camden. The pool will be in place at the school until 11th July, with school swimming lessons and free sessions for the rest of the community on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings.

The initiative, run by Total Swimming in conjunction with the ASA, forms a key part of the Mayor’s £40m Sports Legacy Fund. The fund was set up to help encourage more people into sport after the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said, “It’s really encouraging to know that thousands of kids from all over London have taken part in this fantastic programme. As we continue to build on the momentum of last year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games, I’m delighted to confirm that the mobile pools will be making yet another tour of duty across the capital so that more people can get the opportunity to take a dip.”